Tarot reading for the new Hamilton city council

How will Hamilton city council do in 2011?

I decided to have a little fun looking at possibly the outlook for the new council in 2011. A new Mayor, albeit and old face, two new council members and a third who upset an incumbent. The rest of the council sees old grizzly vets returning; at times; like a bad stink you can't get rid of. A lot of smack came form fridge individuals calling for people to waste their vote on any buffoon to shake up "the good old boys club". I'm all for term limits but that not going to happen in my lifetime. So here's how the cards where dealt.

	The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most popular Tarot spreads, providing varied insight into many aspects of a complex situation and your role in it. The Cat People Tarot paints a picture of faraway lands trod by mystical archetypes and their feline companions. This deck is a perfect tool for dreamers and idealists, and is a great choice for divining the nature of human imagination.
	The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Queen of Swords, when reversed: Narrow-minded. Maliciousness. Bigotry. Deceitfulness. Vengefulness. Prudishness. A treacherous enemy. An ill-tempered person. (Let's hope Mayor Brattina and Sam Merulla have forgotten about the big pen throwing incident or we are in for more Romper Room antics.)
	The card visible at the center of the cross represents the obstacle that stands in your way - it may even be something that sounds good but is not actually to your benefit. Ace of Swords: Great determination. Initiative. Strength. Force. Activity. Excessiveness. Triumph. Power. Success. Fertility. Prosperity. Deep emotional feeling love. Championship. Conquest.(This one is definitely aimed at the new blood. Once the old dogs start yapping it's going to take a lot to be overheard.)
	The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Six of Pentacles (Success): Generosity. Philanthropy. Charity. Kindness. Gratification. Gifts. Material gain.(There's some big projects hanging in the balance, a stadium, airport land development and light rail. Hopefully charity is not just the name of a east end hooker.)
	The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Three of Swords (Sorrow), when reversed: Distraction. Confusion. Disorder. Error. Mistake. Incompatibility. Mental anxieties. Loss. Alienation.(We saw way to much of this on the last council, it can only get better, right? If not there's going to be a few people hiding under their covers, mumbling something about the end of the world)
	The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Eight of Swords (Interference): Crisis. Calamity. Conflict. Domination. Imprisonment. Turmoil. Bad news. Censure. Criticism. Sickness. Calumny.(See above, WE ARE SCREWED!!!!)
	The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Four of Cups (Luxury): Wariness. Aversion. Disgust. Disappointment. Unhappiness. Bitter experience. Stationary period in one's life. (Status quo, pass the hemlock out to council, I've got only four cups so they going have to share)
	The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Ten of Pentacles (Wealth), when reversed: Poor risk. Bad odds. Possible loss. Hazard. Robbery. Loss of inheritance. Dissipation. Gambling.(Again back to the too many projects not enough funds, we have to lose something.)
	The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Ten of Cups (Satiety), when reversed: Loss of friendship. Unhappiness. Family quarrel. Pettiness. Rage. Combat. Strife. Opposition. Differences of opinion.(Or a typical day at City Hall)
	The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Five of Swords (Defeat), when reversed: Uncertain outlook. Chance of loss or defeat. Weakness. Possible misfortune befalling a friend. Seduction. Burial.(Well there's no chance I will be seduced by anyone on this council, ew! I'm certain Brattina will either shine like a new blade or die in a massacre of angry voter daggers aimed at his heart in 2014)
	The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. The Wheel of Fortune: Destiny. Fortune. Outcome. Felicity. Godsend. Special gain or unusual loss. Result. Approaching the end of a problem. The influences affecting the outcome of a problem. Inevitability. Unexpected events may occur. The course of things from beginning to end. Advancement for better or worse. Progress. Good or bad luck depending on nearby cards.(Five letters NTSNM One vowel O Phrase:--NT SNO- TH_ SNO-M-N. I'm sick of lies and ass kissing retoric. Don't tell me what you think you wan't me to hear. The clue reads "Don't Snow the Snowman".City council is still full of lying, self serving, ego maniacs and at least one new council member is a clone of an old council member. I hope I am wrong, but this could be an even worse city council than the last.)

Term limits for city politicians not a bad idea

When it comes to electing people to city government, voter turnout is often embarrassingly apathetic commonly hovering just over 30 per cent in Hamilton. But this doesn't stop us from bitching about the problems with the pivotal services the city provides like water we drink, the transit we ride, the sewers, policing and fire protection.

Because of this lethargic behaviour of voters incumbents in municipal office are notoriously difficult to unseat. As a result, many municipal politicians are able to cling to office for years, often well past their effective abilities. At Hamilton's city hall, for example, almost half the councillors have been in office for at least 15 years, the exact percentage as Toronto.

Fairness and accountability at the municipal level sounds like an oxymoron, especially in Hamilton going back in recent years to the DiIanni scandal and to the currant councils credibility issues. Term limits was one of Fred Eisenberger's promises in the last election and Progressive Conservative MPP Norm Sterling echoes the concern and is asking for a review to be undertaken at Queen's Park. Scheduled for debate in the Legislature on Thursday is Sterling's resolution calling for the creation of an all-party select committee to look at municipal governance in Ontario's big cities. The proposed review would focus on cities with a population greater than 500,000, such as Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton and Mississauga.

We need a compromise on term limits to encourage new blood to flow into city politics bringing with them enriched nutrients at the same time cutting out the cancers that kill any attempt at new growth and development . I suggest no more than two consecutive terms as a councilor, but no limitations on someone re-entering in the future for another two terms. It prevents councilors from becoming career pariahs sucking money out of municipalities in the way of wages and benefits without offering any useful input. Like we see in the Federal Senate where Senators spend less than a third of their time actually working.

Really good Councilors can, jump from councilor to mayor. That would give you 4 uninterrupted terms (16 years) in municipal politics before either jumping to the provincial or federal levels or taking a term off.


City of Hamilton
Members of Council (2006-2010) and their years of service.



Mayor Fred Eisenberger-Serving as Mayor since December 6, 2006.
City of Hamilton Ward Boundaries


Ward 1..................... Ward 2................ Ward 3 .................Ward 4
Brian McHattie .......Bob Bratina..... ...Bernie Morelli ..Sam Merulla
2003.........................2004......................1991.................2000



Ward 5 ...................Ward 6 ......................Ward 7 ................... Ward 8
Chad Collins ......... Tom Jackson .............Scott Duvall .............Terry Whitehead
1995........................1988...................2006....................2003



Ward 9 .........................Ward 10 ................Ward 11 .......................Ward 12
Brad Clark ...................Maria Pearson .....David L. Mitchell ........Lloyd Ferguson
2006......................1991....................... Glanbrook 1986 - 2000 .Ancaster-1984 to 1994
....................................................................Hamilton in 2001........Hamilton-2006


Ward 13 ......................Ward 14 ..................Ward 15 .............
Russ Powers ..............Robert Pasuta .......Margaret McCarthy
1982 Dundas..................2006.....................Flamborough 1994
2001 Hamilton............................................Hamilton 2000

Later,
Kenaz

Bratina,Merulla sling mud in your eye

Councilors Bob Bratina (Ward 2) and Sam Merulla (Ward 4) have been slinging fices via email for the past few weeks over various topics including spending priorities for the city and the closing of US Steel The councilors sent their childish barbs to each other, plus the rest of council and all the local news media.

It started on February 12, with Councilor Merulla forwarding a news item from Citizens at City Hall (CATCH) about Mississauga's decision to drop out of the Pan Am Games bid for an aquatic facility.

In it, Merulla dismisses the games as an obscure 'third-rate event with fourth-rate athletes. To which Bratina asked Perhaps Councilor Merulla would consider apologizing to the young athletes in the Hamilton area who might aspire to participate in some of the events. Moments later, with the vigor of a fifth grader with a persecution complex, Merulla shot back asking Councillor Bratina to apologize to your residents who have been subjected to human feces floating in their basement as a result of the infrastructure deficit and yet you want to build an unsustainable stadium.

I would like to see a new multi-purpose stadium built with a track, football field, outdoor concert area, etc. Something like Toronto's BMO field, there is a bubble which allows for facility use 365 days of the year. There needs to be private investment to offset the cost to taxpayers, perhaps selling the naming rights for the new stadium. "Tim Horton's Field" sounds pretty good. Selling Name/Commemoration plates for seats (like at Hamilton Place) and common areas (Councilor Merulla Men's Room? Councilor Bratina Hot Dog's?)

I have never had respect for Councilor Merulla and his over the top, boisterous comments and yesterday's salvo of dumb dumbs didn't help. In response to the Hamilton Spectator's breaking news report that US Steel (formerly Stelco) is shutting down its Canadian operations (including its Hamilton and Lake Erie operations), Merulla sent an email to local media that reads simply: "Let's build a stadium!!!!!!! [sic]"

Councilor Bratina immediately responded, "This is not a matter for smug jokes." Glenn Johnson of CanWest News Service replied to all, writing, "Would you two call each other instead of wasting everyone else's time."

The US Steel closure of its Hamilton and Lake Erie operations could affect 2,100 workers, adding to the 700 of its 1,700 wage employees laid off in Hamilton.

I don't understand what Merulla is saying with that comment. Does he mean that building a stadium is a waste of money because we could use the $60ish million to do what for the tax payers of Hamilton. Use it to keep US Steel afloat while they sit idle until the global economy says it's time to start making steel again? Sam, shut up or say something constructive. Try saying something useful for once.

Sometimes for major changes to take place, a system must fail. The times ahead are going to be hard for some, harder for others. This is Hamilton's chance to show what it is made of and change a flawed system.

Later,
Kenaz

Hamilton Council's latest proposal makes me 'gag'

The good: The draft bylaw to establish an city council integrity commissioner will go out for public consultation. It’s expected to be finalized in June. Councillors today allocated $50,000 in the 2008 budget to cover the potential costs of the commissioner for the last six months of the year.

The very bad: Controversial amendments were added to the bylaw last week at the Accountability and Transparency sub-committee, including charging a $100 fee to make a complaint and automatically cancelling investigation if the complainant speaks to the media.

The tragic comedy that is city hall continues it's sickening run at King and James. This weeks 'farce' includes a proposal that would render a complaint to the city's integrity commissioner null and void if the person complaining about a councillor goes public before the investigation is complete.

In other words, if you talk to the media, an investigation would be automatically be scrapped, regardless of how serious the allegation is. What draconian piece of shite is this? When did democracy cease in Hamilton?

That amendment to the draft bylaw was approved last week by the integrity and transparency subcommittee, which is made up of councillors and citizens. Council has transformed a piece of legislation intended to ensure that councillors live up to their ethical obligations into both a blatant attempt to gag free speech and a ruse to shield themselves from being accountable.

And, as citizen committee member Joanna Chapman, who voted against the proposal, rightly notes, "Anything that stands in the way of having a complaint properly investigated ... is a huge mistake."

The council members hiding behind the curtains pulling the strings are no mystery. Their the same ones, time and time again, who wish to waste time and money in order to save their old tired butts.

There's nothing nefarious behind the proposal. It's simply a misguided attempt to discourage "frivolous and vexatious" complaints.

Councillor Terry Whitehead, a member of the committee, argues imposing confidentiality on members of the public will help protect councillors from "bad-faith complaints" intended to politically embarrass them.

"The majority of the committee felt if someone was genuine in their complaint and had no agenda and they respected the independent process of the integrity commissioner then they would allow the commissioner to do the work before going public," Whitehead explains.

Councillor Brian McHattie, another committee member who supports the muzzle, notes the restriction is an extension of the same confidentiality rule that would apply to the integrity officer, if and when one is hired.

"I'm hearing very clearly from my fellow councillors unless they have those kind of protections in place then they won't support the commissioner bylaw," McHattie says.

Nice try, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Like Shakespeare's two courtiers in Hamlet the two councillors bumbled this one. The proposed restriction is not only out of step with an open and free society, it flies in the face of the rules governing investigations by the provincial integrity and environmental watchdogs.

Councillor Brad Clark points out that rather than protecting councillors from trivial and trumped up allegations, the gag would make them more vulnerable. For example, if a complainant goes public with an allegation and the investigation is dropped as a result, a councillor will have no way of clearing his or her name. The shadow of suspicion would linger forever.

Councillors should, within reason, be sheltered from unscrupulous special interest groups and political rivals looking to get at them, but they already have legal and moral ways of doing that. Imposing a muzzle on the public at the expense of what may be a legitimate allegation and serious investigation is way out of bounds for members a democratic political arena to conduct themselves.

Hamilton's expressway just got a lot more expensive

Hamilton tax payers are set to be legally "fleeced" or in this case "clowned" to the tune of $1.8 million. That's right folks, the corporate mafia rolled over city council recently leaving them covered in tar and powdered sugar. Large welts left by floppy shoes where also visible. Their lawyers had no comment. If you see any of the culprits, immediately halt all contact with them.

Funny aside, the already dry city coffers are about to get even drier. All because some of the cities largest corporations haven't picked up a paper in forty years and realized a portion of the Red Hill Expressway was set to be built in their neck of the woods.

Council has voted to pay out nearly $1.8 million to a number of businesses who claim they suffered damages from road closures associated with the construction of the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. The cost of the legal settlement with the McDonald’s hamburger chain and other businesses apparently isn’t covered by expressway reserves.

According to the resolution approved at Tuesday's council meeting, $1,795,000 will be paid out to “Arrowline Gas Ltd, MCGW Properties Corporation and Q Lube Ontario Inc, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited, Vinnefield Trading Inc, Avondale Stores Limited, Donut Diners Inc and 1136075 Ontario Limited” to resolve claims “arising from the closure of Limeridge Road East at Upper Wentworth”.

The money will come out of the expressway accounts. But under questioning from downtown councillor Bob Bratina, the head of public works, Scott Stewart, said the account “doesn’t have that sort of money in it now.”

Council decided to payout instead of fighting it because, according to councillor Lloyd Ferguson,

“Our legal counsel and outside counsel advised us that if we lose, it will cost us in the order for $4.5 or $5 million, and if they win it will cost us a $1 million. The million dollars is professional fees to walk us through the litigation process because we’re up against a corporate giant like McDonald’s who will take it through to the Supreme Court, and courts have demonstrated in the past that when it involves a government agency like the City of Hamilton, they will not assign our costs if we win.”

I agree with Chad Collins who challenged the claims of the businesses, said he was “sickened” by the payment and asked if the city’s policy of not doing business with people who sue it could be applied to them.

“For us to be compensating someone who knowingly knew what the municipalities plans were as it related to the expressway, I think is wrong,” he declared, asking that staff report to a future meeting what steps might be taken to exclude the businesses from city contracts."

I watched the debate on Cable 14 last Tuesday night and it sickened me to watch how much these corporate vultures can get away with. Thanks to hamiltoncatch.org for the minutes of the meeting.

Later,
Kenaz

Asinine comment shows Councillor Terry Whitehead's true character

as·i·nine [as-uh-nahyn]–adjective 1.foolish, unintelligent, or silly; stupid.

"I will not apologize"

It is surprising that supposedly intelligent people can make such asinine statement. Councillor Terry Whitehead drew gasps around Hamilton this week when he accused Joanna Chapman of not being objective in her role as a member of the integrity and transparency subcommittee. Chapman was not present in the gallery at the time.

The heated exchange started when Brad Clark objected to comments Whitehead made Wednesday morning. Clark said it’s highly inappropriate to criticize citizen volunteers who are giving up their time to help the city develop an integrity commissioner proposal. Whitehead shot back, naming Chapman as the person he doesn’t think is objective. Councillor Bob Bratina asked Whitehead to apologize. He refused, arguing he has a right to an opinion. Eisenberger again stopped Whitehead, explaining he was out of order. Chapman, who pursued charges against former mayor Larry Di Ianni for violating election was once again cheap shotted by a public official because they don't like the idea of a private citizen taking charge and voicing their given right to an intelligent opinion.

Whitehead and his supporters have been accused of trying to derail the integrity commissioner proposal. He denies the allegations, arguing he’s only trying to fight for the best model for taxpayers. The only thing he's fighting for is the continuance of "cronyism" at city hall. A regime that Mr. Whitehead vainly defends against crusaders like Joanna Chapman who only wish to hold the Mayor to his word and bring transparency back to this city.

You are errornous Mr. Whitehead when you claim this was not your election promise. You represent your constituents and it is your job to bring their wishes to the council floor. The people of Hamilton spoke loud and clear in the last election, they want transparency. Your petty wishes do not circumvent the wishes of the masses, sir. It is your duty to provide those, who's tax dollars provide you with a rather healthy living, their just desserts.

The proper resolution to this matter would be for Councillor Whitehead to be a man and offer an apology to Joanna Chapman.

Later,
Kenaz

Hamilton needs a new city hall

Oops! They did it again. Like Britney, it seems like Hamilton City Council on a regular basis finds themselves exposing their vulnerabilities for everyone to see. They bickered for more than thirty years over Red Hill Creek; poured millions into changing directions of streets only to make downtown a traffic nightmare; squandered the Maple Leaf Foods deal that cost thousands of jobs; chased every millionaire who even whispered the hint of moving an NHL team without offering a shred of evidence Hamilton can even support a team and lost the bid to host the Commonwealth Games, twice.

Now, the "old guard", old in the sense of out of touch, have voted to put Band-Aids on our deteriorating, outdated and inefficient eyesore that is our City Hall. Hamilton is the only major city in Canada not to have a modern centre in which to conduct business. City Hall should be the jewell of Main Street, with an inviting entrance that beckons the average joe and multi-corporation alike to enter its hallow halls to conduct business and bring much needed revenue to the city coffers.

Instead an ugly box surrounded by a concrete deck devoid of any green is what we offer visitors. Pretty stomach turning if you ask me. So I totally don't understand the decision of councillors like Sam Merulla to not want to build a new city hall but instead renovate a dilapidated building. A decision that will not only be a more costly one in the long haul, but will permanently cast a myopia over Mayor Fred Eisenberger's "new vision" for Hamilton.

The old councillors weren't listening. They were more concerned with how they looked. City councillors are elected to show bold leadership and sometimes make unpopular decisions because they are the right decisions, not worry about their image and Mr. Merulla has the most bloated ego. The councillor needs to start seeing the trees for the forest even if it interferes in anyway with his individual political aspirations.

Later,
Kenaz

Troubled bridge over the water

Artists sketch of the grand proposed arch bridge design.



Hamilton city councillors voted in favour to build a myopic eye-catching arched bridge over the Queen Elizabeth Way in east Hamilton. The plan is to lure Toronto-bound drivers who are slightly nearsighted and hopefully lacking a sense of smell into Hamilton using the bridge as a distraction from the odour enriched bay front smokestacks and slag piles.

The pedestrian bridge, as councilors like Sam Merulla laughingly envision would give east-end residents safe access to the waterfront, linking with the Beach Recreational Trail and the Bruce Trail through the Red Hill Valley. The view is not exactly inviting, unless your doing a photo documentary on industrial pollution.

It's no secret Hamilton is fighting a losing battle over its reputation and I welcome anything that could change the "grubby city" attitude of our 'Big Smoke' cousins but, we do not need a fancy bridge or Bratina's fountain in the harbour idea that is way too expensive. Maybe the fountain could lead 'patrons' into a red light district that the good councillor suggested as an answer to ridding the hookers and johns. Seven and a half million would go along way to the continuing effort to beautify Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour or towards a new home for the Tiger Cats and Marauders at Mac to take advantage of the newly minted Go bus terminal.

My suggestion would to build a much simpler and less costly bridge and focus our tourism efforts on parts of the city that actually offer something to see. Not north end smoke stacks and the now covered Rennie Street dump to the south.

Later,
Kenaz

Backroom meeting raises the stench of corruption yet again

The only thing missing was the eerie violin music, the stogies and the dimly lit backroom, but all the characters of a scene straight out of the 'Godfather' where present. Sam 'The Bully' Merulla played the lead thug, trying to persuade Bob 'Red Light' Bratina and Brian 'Flip-Flop' McHattie into back tracking on their decision to agree with a transit fare hike. All under the cover of an off camera, extremely fishy out of chambers meeting.

Here's how the scene played out. Twenty four hours after Merulla had a tantrum worthy of cheap award show nod for best villain, calling McHattie a 'hypocrite' and heckling any other who dared oppose him, the three where huddled in Bratina's private office, off limits to the public and cameras discussing an alternative for the rate increase.

Merulla says Bratina was taking such flak from the public for voting for the increase, he offered to help the Ward 2 councillor "find a way out". Bratina said he only voted for the hike because he didn't want to seem "bullied or intimidated" He later recanted. Before the meeting was over, Bratina changed his position. He said the fare increase is "satisfactory and workable" because of attempts to mitigate the socio-economic impacts, but he still philosophically opposes all HSR increases.

"That's not to say that I voted for something that I don't agree with," he said. What does that mean? You either are for something or your not, there's no fence here or did the "bull" offer to shove the whole post up McHattie's, well, a very dark, smelly place, not unlike the whole gathering.

Here's where the grey area could have been crossed, turning this already sceptical meeting between two councillors into a potentially illegal gathering. Besides himself, Bratina named five councillors who were involved in the discussion -- Merulla, McHattie, Terry Whitehead, Chad Collins, and Robert Pasuta, who "wandered by." The magic number to keep in mind is nine. Nine members of city council congregating together to discuss city business without proper notification and clerical record-keeping would have constituted a quorum and almost certainly an illegal meeting.

Bratina identified six participants but McHattie says there was a "core" of four, with others sticking their heads in but not actively participating. Merulla says there were five or six. Whitehead said six, and others walked by who "would just stop, either join the conversation or walk through."

The meeting became so bizarre a fearful McHattie raised concerns about forming a quorum were. In typical sleazy fashion, Merulla laughed his concerns off as a joke. But they agreed to take a head count anyway.

Jokes aside, transit fares are an important issue worthy of debate in an adult way and should be held in public, not diluted in private backroom agreements. This was not a casual hallway discussion over a coffee, this a well cooked up and covered up attempt to deceive the public.

Everyone who took part at this meeting should feel ashamed and shouldn't wonder if anything they say from now on isn't believed by the people they say they represent. Openness and transparency at the grand hall downtown was nothing more than a cheap campaign slogan, the reality is city hall is rife with the stench of corruption and will only get worse until we get an independent integrity council that can't be corrupted, and willing to put an end to the shenanigans.

Later,
Kenaz

Sam Merulla, big man or big mouth

Hamilton Councillor Merulla hails himself as the self imposed deity of the elderly and poor of Hamilton. The truth is Mr. Merulla is a self absorbed "hypocrite" who rarely visits the neighbourhoods he claims to fight for in city council.

Yesterday, Mr. Merulla further added to his reputation of council bully when he verbally attacked the much smaller Councillor Brian McHattie. The verbal barrage started after Mr. McHattie took the chamber floor to address his approval of a 15 cent public transit fee hike.

Like myself any many working poor and economically disadvantaged Hamiltonian's, we may not like the idea of a substantial hit to our wallets, but we also don't like people like Merulla who misrepresent themselves to us as crusaders, when in reality they are mere self indulgent ego strokers.

In a side conversation that interrupted the meeting, Merulla called McHattie, a vocal transit advocate, a "hypocrite" for supporting the fare hike and warned "I'm coming after you."

The Ward 4 politician tried to cover his ass by saying he was referring to the debate, and further embarrassed himself by saying "We're big boys. We're in politics. If you can't handle the heat, stay out of the kitchen." Mr. Merulla, next time you try to bring the heat, don't bring a bick that doesn't flick.

While Mr. Merulla continued to act like a naughty five year old, insisting on yelling taunts at his fellow council members who supported the hike, and even the Mayor, the rest of the "kids" tried to bring some servility back to the voting public who try to make sense out of council meetings.

In the end, it was agreed, abet, with hesitation, that the cost of riding the bus will increase 15 cents this year to $2.25 for cash fares, a 10-cent increase in ticket fares, $6 on monthly passes, $40 for the annual seniors bus pass and 10 cents for DARTS tickets.

The increase will still mean a substantial sting to the wallets of the persons who can least afford it, but Hamilton will still have one of the cheapest transit systems in the Golden Horseshoe. And in a good turn, a proposal to continue increasing fares over the next several years was turned down.

The estimated $1 million in extra revenue will make up some of the Provincial shortchanging and hopefully lead to buying more new buses and pay for better driver training.

The debate lagged on with other councillors joining Merulla in his playpen to the point when Mayor Eisenberger had enough of the bar room heckling and asked for the councillor to leave the chambers. In response, Merulla asked to be thrown out on behalf of the city's "poor, disabled and seniors."

Mr. Merulla, you don't represent me, don't offend me by saying you do. I may be a working stiff, but I'm not a patsy for an egotistical, self-absorbed person like you.

Later,
Kenaz

`This Thing of Ours` that is Hamilton Ward 3

Hamilton city council and the Mayors office continues to fumble their chances to help the city grow and attain new levels of prosperity and optimism. Instead they let it continue to decay with rampant pollution, poverty, corruption and scandal.

One of the biggest contributors to Hamilton's woes is Bernie Morelli, the head rat in the sewer that is the troubled and impoverished Ward 3. Lets look at Mr. Morelli`s apathetic record for each of the issues.

First a couple of maps of the most heavily populated Ward in the city and one of the most economically and socially diverse. Ward three runs from the industrial North end to the historic brick works and homes that line the escarpment in the South, East from the shopping opportunity rich Ottawa Street, West to the heath service centres on and near Wellington.



The first reaction of anyone driving down Barton Street is rightfully, to put blinders on as they pass the decades of neglect that hang off the eyesore drug dens, junk shops and bars that cater to crime. These black holes suck the life out of the jewels that passerby`s don't notice, the family owned Polish delis and restaurants, the Italian shoe and clothing stores that offer elegance on a budget and the myriad of other ethnic offerings. These don`t get the football fans stopping by or the people who are sick of the headaches of shopping downtown. Bernie Morelli says he supports the small business owner and the vision of a Ward that you can raise a child in, but you wouldn't know by the two to one percentage of vacant store fronts to business and the prostitutes hanging out in front of the children's library.

Bernie Morelli, who, has said he "supported" the work of the Good Shepherd. Whether his support is strictly by the purchase of a ticket to a fund raiser function or he actually visits these shelters on his own time and sees the need of this wonderful charities people is open for debate. The truth is the truly needy, the blue collar working poor don`t see a dime in aid that Morelli promises every election. Instead, every housing and financial program that once helped Ward 3 electors fix up their aging homes or afford day care so they could become a contributor to society has been scrapped. In turn when you try to communicate with Mr. Morelli you get a terse response from a secretary and a form letter saying he can`t help.

The councillors "influence" over the new mayor couldn`t have been highlighted better than how council and the mayor dealt with the harassment complaint made against Councillor Bernie Morelli. Even though the investigator concluded that Mr. Morelli had indeed harassed a city employee, council simply gave Mr. Morelli a get-out-of-jail-free card. A arrogate Mr. Morelli said he had nothing to apologize for and he justified his "passionate" and "assertive" actions on behalf of fighting for his constituents. I wonder if this constituent was a financial or moral contributor to Mr. Morelli.

Mr. Eisenberger, looking like a patsy, reluctant at even having to discuss the issue with the media, tried to wash his hands of it, saying it wasn't "my doing." Wishing the whole affair would just go away, a terse Mr. Eisenberger then fumbled around barely mounting an effort to defend city staff, who have had to sit on the sidelines fearful now of what will happen if they have a similar incident with a councillor.

Mr. Morelli agreed to apology with the tact of a fifth grader with his fingers crossed behind his back. The counselor turned face and the apology never materialized, and even had the gall and gumption to demand Stoney Creek councillor Dave Mitchell to apologize for a comment he made that called Mr. Morelli on the issue.

The story going around at City Hall sounds like a page ripped from a script of the Soprano`s. It goes something like this, Fred Eisenberger was sandbagged when he went along with the rest of council to let Bernie Morelli off the hook for allegedly harassing a city employee. According to the buzz, the mayor was given assurances that if he stayed onside, Morelli would, if not offer a full bore apology, at least express regret for the incident.

Rightly or wrongly, Eisenberger accepted the proffered half loaf of remorse and opted to invest his political capital into pushing for an integrity commissioner to monitor future council conduct. But when the voting was over, Morelli did the opposite of what was expected. He demanded an apology from the employee who levelled the accusation against him. And the only regret he expressed was for how the controversy had hurt him and his family. Morelli crossly denies the tale.

An ethical watchdog is sorely needed at City Hall to handle this kind of underhandedness. But don`t count on it, shady and squeaky clean councillors alike would easily go after the cost of the office as a means of getting in the way without being seen as obstructionist.

The Hamilton ethics Detective McGruff`s job would be to investigate a wide range of complaints against councillors, including mistreatment of staff, discreditable conduct to the public, using city resources for campaign purposes, disorderly behaviour at council meetings, receiving improper gifts or benefits and inappropriately using city resources.

My first choice for the job of laying the `Smackdown` in city chambers would be Joanna `Pitbull` Chapman, the little old lady from Dundas who went after illegal campaign donations given to Larry Di Ianni and other members of council with all the resolution of a dog on a bone.

As attractive as this snake charmer is, she'd be a hard sell among councillors who ultimately have to give their stamp of approval. She would be seen as too biased for the job. So how will the commissioner be chosen once council gives the green light? Staff is expected to recommend the normal hiring process.

That means the position likely will be advertised to a select group of friends. A drawn out application process will pursue. A selection committee or panel will make a recommendation based solely on a most favoured bases.

Who ever is given the post, the most important question is how much authority that person will be given. Because of loop holes in the amended Municipal Act, it's an open question whether council can invest an integrity commissioner with the power to actually order punishments, or will he or she merely be able to recommend a course of action for council to follow or not, as it pleases. In plain language, a lot of money and time will be wasted on an attempt by city council to shore up a sagging reputation. Money that Ward 3 could badly use.

Sources,
The Hamilton Spectator, The Hamilton Mountain News, The Dundas Star News and Raise the Hammer.

Later,
Kenaz

Something stinks at city hall

Hamilton is a far cry from Scotland but city hall is sure beginning to resemble the dark underhanded world Shakespeare depicted in his classic Macbeth. To paraphrase "Something Wicked This Way Comes".

I called Mayor Fred Eisenberger "Fast Freddy" back when he was elected because I knew he won strictly on the voters apathy for the former mayor. He ran an election based on convenience. What ever the voter wanted to hear, Eisenberger was quick with the soothing talk that cured the burn left by a previous council that took and took until the coffers where bare.

Promises bound forth with the new mayor and newly elected and refreshed Hamilton council. So much for elevated transparency, morals and principles. Three city managers were fired after an independent investigation into a harassment complaint in the city licensing department. Yet, Council voted in a secret session last week to ignore a report's recommendation that Councillor Bernie Morelli receive sensitivity training as a result of his harassment of a city inspector two years ago.

Discipline, it seems is acceptable for city staff, it seems, but not for council colleagues. Councillors, hide behind a cloak of confidentiality. What happened? Where's the transparency? Where's the openness? Instead, voters are stuck with the dank smell of dare I say it oh so softly "corruption".

Eisenberger isn't cocky enough to pull off such a ruse. Eventually he will reveal the truth, like that of a modern day Rosencrantz & Guildenstern. And Counselor Morelli could be left with bloody hands.

Eisenberger, designated by council to speak on this issue, has already got his signals crossed with Morelli. The mayor gamely said the councillor "has indicated regret that the incident happened," but the councillor was unrepentant. "I regret this discomfort for me personally," he says.

Ominous warnings came after an operational review, "Heads will role" came the echoes. But it wasn't the dirty players it was the three scapegoat managers who where fired after an investigation. Morelli slipped off into the darkness, escaping the wrath of the "ghosts".

Morelli berated a city employee, which he does admit. If Morelli had a problem with how a city employee was doing his job, he should have taken it up with the appropriate supervisor in a professional manner. For a councillor to throw his weight and position around like that is an abuse of authority.

Morelli has convinced colleagues his actions weren't harassment, but he won't convince the public who have backbones and won't stand for this kind of nonsense.

Later,
Kenaz

Lack of evidence, lack of credibility

A couple of issues have arisen this week that I have to throw my two cents in about. Firstly, my support goes out to the three fired Managers within the City of Hamilton's Licencing Department. Licencing Director Tom Redmond, manager Susan McGrath and Co-ordinator Randy Charlton were fired last month in connection with the harassment of a taxi inspector by Councillor Bernie Morelli.

On Friday politicians voted not to reprimand Councillor Bernie Morelli, despite an independent investigator's finding that he indeed had harassed the taxi inspector and should recieve sensitivity training. The deceission was based on lack of evidence.

If the plump goose escaped the knife than its not right for these lambs to go to the slaughter either. They should be given their jobs back.

My second bone to pick is with the the Hamilton Police Service and their inability to get their act together when it comes to dealing with its own officers under the Police Services Act.

It is absolutely unacceptable that two recent police act cases have been lost on a timeline technicality. There is no excuse for not ensuring charges are laid within the allowed timeline or, if there is uncertainty, seeking the extensions permitted under the act.

Dropping the ball in this way, again, eats away at public confidence. This kind of sloppiness fuels public disrespect and cynicism. It also lends fuel to public perceptions that transgressions by police officers are not taken seriously enough and that police protect their own.

The most recent problem comes after 24 harassment-related charges against Sergeant Kevin Dhinsa were thrown out by a police tribunal because they were laid eight days late.

Twelve female Hamilton police employees potentially put their reputations and careers on the line by lodging complaints against Dhinsa. These women showed courage in complaining against one of their own. In return they where disrespected by Hamilton Police Association administrator Brad Boyce who showd lack of morals when he chose to characterize the Dhinsa decission as a "win". His guilt was not established. Neither was his innocence.

Unfortuately, the legal ring isn't the same as a boxing ring, these women do not get a rematch and a chance to rub the smug grin off their opponents face.

Chief Brian Mullan must get a firm handle on this problem because, as he has said before, the buck stops with him. If the people to whom Mullan delegates responsibilities too, don't clean up their acts than the good chief should be prepared to die by the sword of public trust.

Later,
Kenaz

One ringy dingy, is anybody there at Hamilton City Hall?

Interruptions, childish out bursts, insults short of "your mother!". A local playground? No, a meeting of Hamilton council. The playpen squabble? Extending local calls to the suburbs. The answer so obvious; to borrow a phrase from a popular info-commercial "so easy, even a child could do it!"

And to further my allegory to info-mercials, "for just a penny a day" on your phone bill you can have the "privilege" of phoning to the burbs for free. Since 2001, Hamilton has been "one" city officially, long before that we have all lived with the conundrum that is the "905" area code.

Here's the argument that my councillor and other inner city councillors offer, "it's not fair for the whole city to pay the cost of reducing phone rates for the suburbs when they enjoy the benefits of area rating, in which they don't pay the full costs for services such as transit and recreational facilities."

This is so ridicules it's not even funny even if it was a joke. Benefits? You can't take a bus to Binbrook or most of the sub-burbs from Hamilton and there are few recreational facilities in these areas to begin with. What the hell benefits are these councillors talking about?

To prove my point, Sam Merulla, inner city councillor, delivered an eloquent and impassioned speech that's so far over the top, I wonder if he was smelling burnt toast at the time.

Merulla says the 30 cents a month would impact the most marginalized residents to subsidize the wealthiest in the suburbs. If council does this, then they have to revisit area rating to ensure everyone pays equally for all services, regardless of where they live. He says the proposal is a "catalyst" that underlines the hypocrisy of past support for reducing business taxes.

Merulla is surprised by some of the councillors who support the motion. They are, "voting in favour of the hypocrisy and inconsistency, the unpredictability which basically are the characteristics of a dysfunctional environment."

What thesaurus did Merulla swallow? If he's so concerned about the impoverished in his riding, he'd realize most of his constituents either can't understand him or see through his paper thin mirage of deceit. Two can play his game.

Councillor Jackson tries to talk about removing irritants, Merulla becomes one himself, repeatedly interrupting with audible mumbling, something along the lines of "I could'va been a contender" or something like that.

Mayor Eisenberger called Merulla on it, urging a respectful debate, a few more minutes of childish taunts before the good Mayor hands out the "soothies" in the way of an altimatum for the debate to stop getting silly and demands a vote.

In the end council agreed to add an amendment, asking the CRTC to reconsider the 30 cents a month price structure. Then they all voted to support going forward with the request to make all calls within Hamilton local calls. Well, two meetings down in 2007 and the pampers are already full. I hope a new shipment is on its way or its going to be a long four years.

Later,
Kenaz